Vopak Bulk Storage Facility
Building a sustainable bulk storage facility for the world’s leading storage tank company.
The brief was clear: targeting a minimum 5-star rating, Vopak wanted the facility design to be an expression of their commitment to sustainability from start to finish.
Vopak stores products essential for our daily lives – from chemicals, oils, gasses and LNG to biofuels and vegoils. A core part of this is ensuring safe, clean and efficient storage.
A key part of this was achieving a high-quality indoor environment, through an advanced Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, that focuses on the well-being of Vopak’s employees in the facility.
This consists of a mixed-mode ventilation system that optimises the use of natural ventilation when the outside air conditions are desirable and switch to mechanical air conditioning when the outside conditions are not favourable. The building is designed with increased mechanical outdoor air rates following the Green Star requirements, as well as with hopper windows that open upwards to the inside of the building.
As a further expression of Vopak’s commitment to sustainability, the facility’s street-front – and its exterior – designed to support the mixed-mode ventilation system designed by Zutari. Added to this, its energy performance is expected to be efficient, as measured by a simulation that expects a 173% reduction in energy.
The building is carbon positive – producing more energy than it needs.
The project was recognised as winner at the 2021 Construction Awards for Innovation and Sustainability.
The facility’s all-inclusive sustainable design includes features such as appropriately zoned lighting that automatically switches on and adjusts to suit natural light levels and occupancy, energy-efficient building services and systems, greywater harvesting for use in toilets, on-site waste management with a recycling facility as well as a blackwater treatment plant.
Zutari’s holistic design solution of the facility also focussed on reducing emissions from transport, by promoting good health practices through the design of dedicated parking for fuel-efficient vehicles (hybrids and electric cars), mopeds or scooters, together with convenient cyclist facilities for staff, and visitor bicycle racks.
*The Aurecon Africa business has been officially renamed Zutari as at 21 July 2020. Zutari acquired Aurecon Middle East on 20 November 2020.
